Chapter 52

Yuugi drummed her nails against the bathroom sink, contemplating her neat stack of makeup products. They seemed odd, misplaced, as if they didn't belong in her small bathroom. It was a shrine of femininity that Yuugi had not yet embraced, taunting her with their shiny labels.

Should she put some on? It was the weekend, and she doubted that anyone she knew would see her. It would be good practice at least.

The image of Tara laughing sent a ripple of irritation through her. Her hand broke the barrier, snatching the cover up and placing some under her eyes. Masculinity be damned, she would feel better if she felt confident in her ability to put on makeup, even if she was too scared to wear it on a daily basis.

She had just finished applying some mascara when she heard the door ring. She dropped the tube in the sink, fear flooding through her. Oh, there were only a handful of people that she absolutely did not want to see her with makeup on for no good reason. She prayed that it wasn't one of them.

The gods must not be hearing her prayers. When she opened the door, she was greeted by the one at the top of the list, a huge grin plastered on his face as if he had just won the lottery.

"I'm done!" said Yami, reaching forward and giving Yuugi a hug. He was so enthusiastic that she was thrown off balance, letting out a squeak as he nearly lifted her off the ground.

"I thought I was going to die!" continued Yami "I'm all caught up on studying and homework for at least a week. Never again am I going to let myself get behind. It's not enough to just see you at school."

Yuugi's face had erupted into a violent red. It was moments like this where she wondered why she ever felt insecure about Yami's feelings for her. His face was buried into her neck, his breath tickling her skin.

"I'm glad that's over with." agreed Yuugi, still fighting her blush. She was torn between wanting him to let go so she didn't go into cardiac arrest, and never letting go so he wouldn't see she was wearing makeup. Maybe she could slip away and take it off before he noticed.

Her plan was ruined when Yami suddenly let go of her, holding her at arm's length to beam a radiant smile at her. She froze as his eyes scanned her, drinking in her appearance. Aside from the makeup, she was wearing a pair of red skinny jeans and a white graphic t-shirt with the image of several duel monsters on the front. It was one of the outfits from her days as a guy.

If he noticed anything, his expression didn't show it. Instead he just slid his hand into one of hers, still smiling. She was then able to calm down enough to take in his appearance. He wore a pair of dark jeans, a crisp gray button down shirt visible under the black leather jacket. His crimson eyes were shining with an extra gleam of energy. Man he looked hot.

"Is it alright if I come in?" he teased, obviously having noticed her checking him out.

Yuugi smirked, tugging him inside and shutting the door to the cold air behind him. She couldn't help being a little disappointed that he hadn't noticed her makeup. Talk about not knowing what she wanted.

"I was just about to start making dinner." Said Yuugi, her energy high now that Yami was here. "Want to help?"

"Of course." Said Yami, holding up a plastic bag she only now noticed. Inside she could see a plastic container holding two small pieces of dark chocolate cake "I brought desert. As a little form of celebration."

"Yami! You're so thoughtful." gushed Yuugi, grabbing the cake and hugging it to her chest.

Yami chuckled. "I think you're happier to see the cake than you are to see me."

"Oh hush. Don't be jealous of the cake. Today is its last day in existence."

Amid the laughing and smiles that ensued for the next few hours, Yuugi felt like a piece of her life was sliding back into its proper place. A piece she hadn't realized was missing until it was returned. The emptiness that had been haunting her house was soon gone, swept away by Yami's presence.

Perhaps she still couldn't say that she loved Yami - that was a strong word after all - but she really really liked him. More than anyone else, he made her feel like the world was right.

It was kind of scary how tight a hold of her happiness he was starting to have. Well, too late to do anything about it now. All she had to do was make sure she didn't lose him - Which was easier said than done. Though she was undeniable happy to see him, that little bit of insecurity tucked behind her conscious just wouldn't go away.

She gave a large sigh, wondering how she was going to fix this problem once and for all.

"I've been wondering something." said Yami, interrupting Yuugi's current train of thought. They were in her room, halfway through a game of 'Sorry' where Yami was royally kicking her butt. He was laying on his stomach, propped up with his elbows as he stared at Yuugi.

"What is it?" said Yuugi.

"Why are you wearing makeup today?"

Humiliation colored Yuugi's face. Dang, she had completely forgotten about that.

"I thought you hadn't notice." grumbled Yuugi.

"Of course I noticed." He grinned. "Did you know I was coming and decided to dress up for me?"

"How was I supposed to know you were coming?"

Yami shrugged. "Maybe Marik decided to be meddlesome again. I don't know. Still, what brought on this sudden change?"

Yuugi folded her arms, subconsciously defending herself against the question. "I'll have to learn how to deal with makeup one day." said Yuugi. "Figured today was a good day to practice since I wouldn't be seeing anyone."

"Or so you thought." Said Yami, rolling the dice and contemplating his next move. He opted to pull his last piece out of start, knocking Yuugi's only free blue token home in the process. Yuugi growled at him, promising revenge in her next turn.

A few minutes later after enacting said revenge on two of his pieces, Yuugi realized that Yami was staring at her. It wasn't obvious. He would only watch her when she was busy doing something like moving her pieces on the board.

"What?" said Yuugi, feeling self-conscious. "Why are you staring?"

Yami cocked his head at her, a frown on his face.

"Don't take this the wrong way." Said Yami slowly.

Like that was ever a good way to start a conversation.

"You look good in makeup, but I don't think you have to change and use it if you don't want to. I like the way you look normally just as much, if not better without makeup."

Yuugi could only stare.

"You say you'll have to get used to makeup eventually." continued Yami. "But do you really? There's no rule book that says being female means you have to wear makeup. I feel like it should be something you do because you want to, not because you're expected to. Thought I do enjoy the effect it creates." He gave her another smirk. "But I was also under the impression that you weren't interested in it."

"I wasn't..." said Yuugi. "But I realized that it was something that I needed to learn."

"Needed, or wanted?"

"Both." said Yuugi. It was necessary to boost her self-esteem and to not feel like a fool when comparing herself to Yami's glamorous background. A crutch to lean on until she was able to stand without its help.

"I see."

Yami rolled his dice, placing one of his pieces in the safe zone. The topic was dropped after that, for which Yuugi was grateful.

She was still processing what he had said when Yami's phone rang. He pressed the speaker button, laying the phone on the floor as they finished their game.

"What is it Marik?" said Yami.

"Be ready in five minutes. We're almost at Yuugi's house." Said Marik's dark voice over the phone.

"Excuse me?" said Yami, "What are you talking about?"

He exchanged a questioning look with Yuugi who shrugged. She was as lost as Yami.

"You and the chibi." Said Marik. "We're coming to get you- not that way you idiot! Didn't you see the one-way street sign?"

Another voice responded in the background, dark with an English accent. "It's a short cut. No one ever takes this route."

"Bakura, please follow the traffic laws." said a soft voice, also accented. "I'd like to make it to Yuugi's house alive, not in pieces."

"Hah! Yeah, listen to your boyfriend." said Marik.

"Piss off!"

"That's not anyway to talk to-"

"Marik!" said Yami, quickly getting annoyed with the pair. "What is going on? Why are you, Bakura and Ryou on your way to Yuugi's house?"

"We're going to pick you two up." Said Marik happily. "So make sure to look smashing. We wouldn't want your precious Yuugi to get lured away by another handsome man now would we?"

"For the last time." said Yami. "What is going on?"

Yuugi could hear the smile in Marik's next words.

"We're going to go clubbing!"


Thank you for reviews! SkyNakama27, Madolche Anjelly, ForeverWildfire2.0, Guest, catgirl505, KisaraTheDragonCharm, Hiei Dragon Girl, and XxVampire-AlisaxX.

I'm glad people liked Malik's personality so much. Also, in answer to your question, he will turn up every now and then, kind of like the other characters. This story focuses mostly on Yami and Yuugi, but the other ships come and go occasionally. (I'm writing this as I go.)